WWW THE WORKING GROUP

What to Watch for at Westminster, the Working Group

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit

The Working Group is dominated by the 2008 highest scoring dog in conformation, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. Spirit didn’t just beat the competition, she obliterated it, defeating 45,755 more dogs in 2008 than any other dog that will be at Westminster. Spirit won 71 BIS 2008 and has already added seven more including the two Palm Springs shows, the largest shows in the US. Spirit, bred by Maryann Bisceglia & Mary Hayes, is owned by Mary Hayes & Joe & Carla Sanchez, and handled by Taffee McFadden.

CH Cambria’s Victoria’s Secret

But this is Westminster and the normal rules do not apply. Many a favorite has come to the Garden and left with a consolation prize. Every Westminster veteran will tell you that the Breed and Group rings are nerve racking. Among the dogs gunning for the front runner is the 2008 number two Working Dog, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Cambria’s Victoria’s Secret. “Reginy” picked up 13 BIS last year, good enough to put her in the top twenty all breed rankings. Reigny grabbed a Group 2 last year, but will have to fight her way out of the breed.

CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton

The new girl in town is the Doberman Pinscher, CH Allure Blazing Star Alisaton, a three year old bitch who has caught fire in the last month, winning three BIS in January, beating Reigny twice in the breed. CJ was bred by Carmen Pitts & Gwen DeMilta, is owned by Pitts, Nancy Bosley & Julie Porter, and handled by DeMilta’s daughter, Carissa DeMilta Shimpeno.

CH White Eagle's Celestial Sky

A breeder/owner handled dog, the Samoyed, CH White Eagle's Celestial Sky, finished 2008 as the fourth highest scoring in her breed, but she won one more Working Group than the top Samoyed and won the same number of BIS (3). However, in just three weekends last month, “Celeste” won two BIS, four Group Twos, and one Group 4. Celeste, bred and owned by Rev Terry Litton & Mary & Jim Augustus, is handled by Mary.

CH Drakyi Gold Standard

Our dark horse in this group is the first Tibetan Mastiff to win a BIS, CH Drakyi Gold Standard. “Midas”, was bred by Rick Eichhorn, who co-owns the four year old dog with handlers Michael & Linda Brantley. Midas, the number one Tibetan Mastiff of all time and the 2008 Best TM, is rolling into Westminster with three Group 1s in a row, including the one on the way to that historic Best In Show.

Next, the Terriers.

DAVID BEATS GOLIATH AGAIN...AND AGAIN AND AGAIN

We have most of the weekend’s results in and there are some surprises. Chief among these was the David and Goliath face off between the number one dog, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the number six dog, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug. The tiny Taser shocked (this is the gift that keeps on giving) the crowd and his larger opponents taking BIS on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday in Eugene, OR. Lyn Topinka from the Yahoo Group Show Dogs reports that Spirit did return to form on Saturday, going best over his pint size competition. I’m sure there were some exhibitors left dazed and confused after these four shows.

Further south, the number ten dog, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija galloped to two Bests in Petaluma, CA. The number seven dog, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot could only manage one Group two on Sunday at the Redwood Empire KC’s double header. The number three dog, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, must be feeling light headed after taking two BIS at Saturday and Sunday shows in the mile high altitude of the Denver suburb of Greeley, CO. The number eight dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry Vanity Fair, stayed closer to the ground, with just a Group two on Sunday at the same two shows hosted by Evergreen Colorado KC.

The rest of the top ten spent most of the weekend in New Jersey. On Thursday, there were limited breed shows for sporting and hound breeds, and our number two and nine dogs each picked up a Group one in exchange for the trouble of starting the weekend early. As we reported yesterday, the Pointer, CH Seasydes Hollyberry went BIS on Friday over the Brussels Griffon, the Sealyhm Terrier, and the Harrier. Ditto Saturday, as Holly garnered yet another best while the other three watched.

Ch. Dabney's Phenomenon

Sunday, the Pointer headed for North Conway, NH, but had to settle for a Group win as the 2007 number one Doberman Pinscher, Ch. Dabney's Phenomenon, muscled his way to the top of the Carroll County KC pack. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade opted to cross the Hudson to attend the toney Westchester County KC event on the grounds of Lyndhurst Castle in Tarrytown, NY. Westchester was no kinder to the two than had been New Jersey as a Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch Perrisblu Paris from neighboring Sherman, CT, went BIS, while the Harrier, Coda, and the BG, Lincoln, had to settle for a Group one and two, respectively.

Ch Perrisblu Paris

When I lived in New York in the 1970s, I showed my dogs every year at the Westchester show on the grounds of the former home of the 19th century railroad baron, Jay Gould. Long the suburban retreat of the wealthiest of New Yorkers, Westchester County can be intimidating. I’m sure they are more welcoming now than they were in my day. To paraphrase Auntie Mame, I won’t say it’s restricted, but get a blood test before you visit.

Lyndhurst Castle

RENT THESE MOVIES

I wrote in my first post that I was one of those dog show junkies that could identify the real dog show people who inspired the characters in the movie, BEST IN SHOW. Hollywood has often looked to less mainstream sports to break the tedium of action flicks, slasher films, and date movies. Here are three films that every dog show junkie should see.

BEST IN SHOW, released in 2000, is another “mockumentary” by the wonderfully sly Christopher Guest, the man who gave us THIS IS SPINAL TAP. BIS follows the owners of five dogs as they prepare for a Westminster-like show. Christopher Guest not only directed and wrote this gem, he plays the role of a country boy Bloodhound owner, who is also a ventriloquist. As funny as Mr. Guest is, my favorite characters are the duo of Jim Piddock and Fred Willard, as the dog show expert and the clueless color commentator. Anyone who remembers the urbane James Edward Clark and the rough around the edges Joe Garagiola from the early Westminster broadcasts will appreciate the parody. My only criticism of the movie is that there is only one professional handler in the final seven. Now that’s a Hollywood ending.

Now for a memorable portrayal of a pro handler, you can’t beat Harry Dean Stanton as Philo Skinner, a desperate man who dognaps a top winner to pay his gambling debts. Happily, I’ve known no real life inspiration for this character in Joseph Wambaugh’s 1980 film, THE BLACK MARBLE. Wambaugh is a former Los Angeles cop who has written several successful novels based on seriously jaded police officers. After being unhappy with the first movies made from his books, Wambaugh penned his first screenplay for THE BLACK MARBLE which resulted in several extremely memorable characters.

If you are a fan of film classics, then look for a copy of 1933’s THE KENNEL MURDER CASE, the precursor to William Powell‘s THIN MAN films. Like all in that series, this one has deliciously decadent rich people, lightening quick dialogue, and dogs who steal every scene they’re in. If you know the THIN MAN movies, you will remember the mischievous WIRE FOX TERRIER, Asta. In this film, Powell’s canine companion is an equally clever, SCOTTISH TERRIER. There’s also a DOBERMAN PINSCHER , who gets to play a near death scene followed by a miraculous recovery, and a heroic capture of the villain. I’m sure all the actors were jealous as hell.

Now every movie visit should end with a cartoon.Try the wonderful 1939 Disney offering, SOCIETY DOG SHOW, starring Mickey Mouse and Pluto, It just doesn’t get any better than this.